Lixiviating apparatus.



'PATENTED MAY 26,1908.

o. E, ARNOLD. LIXIVIATI'NG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IIVVEN ran which the following is UNITED STATES PATENT oE IcE.

CHARLES E. ARNOLD, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, ASSIGNOR TO THE E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS POWDER COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON,

JERSEY.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. ARNOLD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilmington, county of Newcastle, and State of Delaware, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lixiviating Apparatus, of a full, clear, and exact description, referenccbemg had to the accompanymg drawings, which form a part of this 1n solution by is to produce tractlng nitrate of SO( a from cahche without ferred embodiment of specification.

The object of my invention is to produce an apparatus capable of extracting nitrate of soda from caliche. The known processes are always attended with a loss of a certain proportion of the available'nitrate', the loss being due partly to the carrying away of nitrate the ripios or waste. The percentage of loss varies with the process or apparatus employed, and amounts to from one-third to one-half of the available nitrate in the methods of extraction most commonly used.

The more specific object of my invention an apparatus capable of exlossof substantially any of the available nitrate and to carry out the extracting process continuously and automatically.

While the apparatus is designed with especial reference to the requirements attending the extraction ofnitrate of soda from caliche, it will be understood that it is not intended to imply that the apparatus is not useful for operating upon other substances. It will also be understood that whether applied to the particular use that I have more especially in View, or whether used for other purposes, the detailed construction and arrange ment of parts may be modified, it being un-' derstood that the specific apparatus hereinafter described is intended to represent a premy invention for the particular purpose specified.

In the draw1ngsz-Figure 1 is a side-elevation, partly in section. Fig. 2 is an end View. Fig. 3 is a section on the line of Fig. 1.

a is a long tube or cylinder of one-quarter inch iron late. The diameter of the cylinder may e about six feet, and its length about one hundred feet. The entire tube is covered with heavy insulating material I) to prevent radiation of heat. The cylinder is rotated from the shaft 0, on which are gears-d engaging annular gears c encircling the cylinder. The cylinder rests and turns on sets of Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 21,

LI XIVIATING APPARATUS.

Patented May 26, 1908. 1907. Serial No. 374,834.

rollers f journaled in standards g. In operation, the cylinder is turned at the rate of not more than two or three revolutions per mmute.

One end of the cylinder is provided with a central circular opening it, of less diameter than the cylinder; and registering with this opening is the annular threat '5 having flanges bolted to the end late of the cylinder. Through the opening It the caliche or other material is introduced and the saturated solution discharged. The opposite end of the cylinder is provided with a central opening 1' of less diameter than the opening h; and registering with the opening j is a funnel shaped having flanges k bolted to the end 1 plate. Through the opening 1' are inserted i the pipes land m, the pipe fresh water is introduced, opening into the cylinder near the latters extreme end, while the pipe m, through which the mother liquid is introduced, opens'into the cylinder at a DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF NEW Z, through which 1 point more remote from thelatters extreme end.

n is a third pipe extending-into the cylinder through the opening perforated cylinder or heater 0, supported from the helix p hereinafter described. The fuel supply, which may be crude oil or coal dust, is introduced through,the pipe 11, into the heatero and is burned there. The heater 0 always being hot, the ignition of the fuel is insured should the supply be momentarily stopped. The perforated helix 1) extends the entire length of the cylinder (1, the function of the helix being to propel the caliche, while the perforations permit the solution to flow lll'tllf) opposite direction to that of the caliche.

g, g, represent ribs extending longitudinally of the cylinder and secured to its inner wall, their function being to increase the rubbingaction of'tlie ealiche and at the same time serve as supports for the helix p.

r is an elevating spiral adjoining the outlet the cylinder to the edge of the outlet j, its function being to carry the ripios or waste out at y". v 4

s is a perforated elevating spiral extending between successive convolutionsof the helix and merging into one end of the perforated tube t. This tube is provided with a helix at whose convolutions extend in the opposite direction to those of the helix p. The function of the spiral sis to carry any lumps, too large to y andconnecting with a:

j, the spiral extending from the inner wall of by the helix a,

of a screw shaft w, exten mg and continue on; but an i the utilization of pass its (spiral s) perforations, up to and into the tube t, whence the lumps are conveyed, back to .the starting point for retreatment.

o is a ate, hinged to and forming the spira s, the gate being 0 erated part of, p y means through the wall of the cylinder 0..

To put the a paratus into operation, fire is started in the eater 0, air for the combustion entering throu The cylinder is revo ved at the rate of one or two revolutions per minute. Fresh water is run in at pipe land mother liquor at pi e m At the same time a continuous suppIy of caliche is fed in through the opening c. The water flows gradually along, nitrate from the caliche during its'progress and, becoming saturated therewith, flows out of the cylinder at h. At the same'time the caliche is carried in the opposite direction by the helix p. When it reaches the spiral s, it it is finely disintegrated, it will pass through the perforations of the spiral s at this point will be elevated by the spirals and conveyed to the tube t, whence the helix it conveys them back to the starting point. The finely disintegrated ripios is elevated by the spiral r and discharged through the outlet 7'. The nitrate is recovered from the saturated solution escaping at h by crystallization of the nitrate, as is well known, and the mother liquor, containing more or less nitrate in solution, is fed in through the tube m as described; Should a large amount of rock containing no nitrate accumulate in the apparatus, the gate 12 is opened for a time, and the rock passes out with the finer insoluble materials.

It will be observed that the extracting process is carried on continuously and automatically. The action of the apparatus is such as to entirely disintegrate the caliche,

and the ripios or waste is discharged wet with fresh water and not wet with the nitrate solution. Further, it is impossible for any lumps containing nitrate to be dis charged, and it is also impossible for the waste to carry away nitrate in solution. Moreover, maximum eificiency is secured in heat, every unit of heat from the fuel bein absorbed by the liquid.

Havin now ful y described my invention, what I c aim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. Ina lixiviating apparatus, the combination with a cylinder and means for rotatand rotating therewith for conveying the material'from one end to the other, an outlet at the latter end for the solid residue, means to introduce liquid at the end of the cylinder at which the solid residue is discharged, and means to allow, the saturated solution to escape atthe opposite end of the cylinder.

h the pipes Z, m, and 'n;

extracting the lumps remaining mg the same, of a perforated helix therein nation with a cylin er and means for rotat ing the same, of means at one end ermitting the material to be introduced an( the satuopposite end permitting liquid to be introduced and the solid residue to be discharged, and a helix within and rotating with the cylinder for conveying the material from one end to the other. V 3.'In a lixiviatin apparatus, the combination with a cylin er, of a perforated helix therein for conveying the material from one end to the other, an outlet at the latter end for the solid residue, means to introduce li uid at the end of the cylinder at which the so id residue is discharged, means to allow the saturated solution to escape at the opposite end of the cylinder, cylinder, and means to introduce heater.

4. In a lixiviatin apparatus, the combination with a cylin er, of a perforated helix therein for conveying the material from one fuel to the end to the other, an outlet at the latter end i for the solid residue, means to introduce liquid at the end of the cylinder at which the solid residue is discharged, means to allow the saturated solution'to escape at the opposite end of the cylinder, a heater near the end of the cylinder at which the water is introduced and the solid residuedischar ed, and a fuelsupply pipe extending througIi the discharge opening and connected with the heater.

5. In a. lixiviating appa ratus, the combination with a cylinder, therein for conveyin the material toward the end at which the soIid residue is discharged, a centrally disposed outlet at said end to permit the solid residue to esca e, and an elevating spiral to convey the soli residue from the bottom of the cylinder to said outlet.

6. .In a lixiviating apparatus, the combination with a cylinder, of a perforated helix therein for conveyin the material toward the end at which the solid residue is discharged, a tube within the cylinder, a helix within the tube conveying material in the opposite direction, and an elevating spiral to arrest lumps of material and convey them from the bottom of the cylinder to the tube.

7. In a lixiviating apparatus, the combil nation with a cylinder, of a perforated helix l therein for conveying the material toward the end at which the solid residue is dis charged, a waste outlet at said end at which thesolid residue is discharged, means at said end to introduce liquid into the cylinder, means at the opposite end permitting the saturated solution to escape and the material to be introduced, a tube within the cylinder, a helix within the tube conveying material in the opposite direction, an elevatin spiral 2. In a lixiviatin apparatus, the combi-' rated solution to be discharged, means at the I a heater within the of a perforated helix extending between successive convo utions of the cylinder to the end of the tube nearest a nation with a cylinder, of means allowing the said outlet, the 'posite end of the tube ter minating near t e' end of the cylinder at which the solid material is introduced and the saturated solution escapes.

8. In alixiviating apparatus, the eombination with a cylinder, of a perforated helix therein: for conveying the material toward the end at which the solid residue is discharged, a tube within the cylinder, a helix within the tube conveying material in the oppos'ite direction, and an elevating spiral to arrest-lumps of material and convey them from the bottom of the cylinder to the tube,

a gate closing an opening in the elevating spii ral, and means to open said gate and permit lumps of material to be fed by the helix into that part of the cylinder beyond the elevat-' ing spiral.

9. In a lixiviating apparatus,-the combina-. tion with a cylinder having a relatively large central opening at one end and a relatively small central opening at the other end, of a perforated helix therein for conveying the material from the first opening to the second opening, and means to introduce liquid near the end of the cylinder containing the second opening. v v

10. In a lixi yiating apparatus, the combination with a cylinder, of a perforated helix therein for conveying the material from one end to the other, means to introduce liquid at the end of the cylinder toward which the solid material is conveyed, means allowing the saturated solution to escape at the o posite end, and ribs on the inner wall 0 thecylinder. I Y

11. In a lixiviating apparatus, the combination with'a cylinder, of a perforated helix therein for conveying the material from one end to the other, means to introduce liquid at the end of the cylinder toward which the solid material is conveyed, means allowing the saturated solution to escape at the opposite end, and longitudinally extending ribs on the inner wall of the cylinder.

12. In a lixiviating apparatus, the combination with a cylinder, of means allowing the introduction of the solid material and the escape of the saturated solution at one end of the cylinder, a discharge opening for the solid residue at the other end of the cylinder, means to introduce liquid at the last named end of the cylinder, a perforated helix in the cylinder to convey the material from one'end to the other, an elevating spiral at the last named end of the cylinder to. convey the solid residue to the discharge opening, an inner tube within the cylinder, a helix therein to convey material in the opposite direction from that in which it is ,conveyed by the helix in the cylinder, an elevating spiral to convey thesolid materialfrom the cylinder to the inlet end of the tube, and a heater, within the cylinder. r

13. In a lixiviating apparatus, the combiintroduction of the solid material and the escape of the saturated solution'at one end of the cylinder, a discharge 0 ening for the solid residue at the other cm of the cylinder means to introduce liquid at the last name .end of the cylinder, a perforated helix in the cylinder to convey the material from one end.

to the other, an elevating spiral at the last named end of the cylinderto convey the solid rated inner tube within the cylm residue to the discharge opening, a perfo v a helix therein to convey material in [the opposite direction from that in which it is conveyed ng spiral, and longitudinally extending ribs on-the innerwall of the cylinder.

14. In a lixiviating apparatus, the combination. with a cylinder, of a feeding device therein to carry the same in one direction,

and means to introduce a liquid therein and cause it to flow in the opposite direction i contact with the solid material.

15. In a lixiviating apparatus, the combination with acylinder, of a feeding deviceby the helix in the cylinder, a perforated eletherein to carry the same in. one direction,

means to introduce a'liquid therein and cause it to flow in the opposite direction in contact with the solid material, and a second feeding device in the cylinder to carry partly disintegrated solid material in the direction of the flow of the body of liquid but out of contact therewith. I

16. In 'a lixiviating apparatus, the combination with a cylinder, of a feeding device therein to carry the same in one direction, and means to introduce a liquid therein and cause it to flow in the opposite direction in 'contact with the,solid material, and devices to arrest the feedof partly disintegrated solid material and convey it in the direction of the flow of the liquid and reintroduce it into the cylinder,

17. In a lixiviating apparatus, the combination with the cylinder, of a perforated helix therein for conveying the material from one end to the other, an outlet atthe latter end for ,the solid residue, a pipe, opening into the interior of the cylinder near the last named end, for introducing water into the cylinder, a second ipe, opening into the interior of the c'ylin or more remote from the last named end, for introducing'mother liquor into the cylinder, and means allowing the saturated solution to escape at the opposite end of the cylinder. h

18. In a lixiviating apparatus, the combination with a feeding device to carry the ma terial in one direction, means to cause aflow of liquid in the opposite direction in contact with said material, and a second feeding deto arrest the feed of partly disintegrated solid vice to carry partly disintegrated solid matei material and convey it to the second feeding v rial in the direction of the flow of the liquid. l device. 19. In a lixiviating apparatus, the combi- In testimony of which invention, I have 5 nation with a feeding device to carry the material in one direction, means to cause a flow on this eleventh day of May, 1907. of liquid in the o posite direction in contact CHARLES E. ARNOLD.

with said materia a second feeding device to Witnesses: carrypartlydisintegratedsolidmaterialin the HENRY E. MEAD, i0 direction of the flow of the liquid, and means S. W. NEWELL.

hereunto set my hand, at Wilmington, Del, 15 

